The Wellington Phoenix Are Ready To Roll For Season Two in the ALW
With twenty-two players all locked and loaded, the Wellington Phoenix are ready for their second season in the A-League Women’s. Some of those players are new to the team, many are returning from year one. They’ll also have a new coach this time, sort of, with assistant Natalie Lawrence ascending to the top spot after Gemma Lewis got an offer she couldn’t refuse from back home (Women's and Girls' Pathway Manager with the Welsh FA). Plus they’ve got these weird things called ‘home games’ on their fixture list as well. Never had one of those before.
Last year’s squad entered the opening round with more teenagers than non-teenagers. Only four of their players had ever played in the A-League before and none had previously scored a goal in this competition. There was limited time to put a team together after the team’s existence was finally rubber-stamped, most other ALW teams having already almost completed their rosters by then, and the emphasis was therefore on development. Eight of their team ended up forming the backbone of the U20 World Cup squad (also coached by Lewis and Lawrence, no coincidence there). The Phoenix finished last on the table but two wins towards the end of the season really highlighted the steady improvements that they made along the way.
This season there’s been a theme of evolution. A lot of last year’s squad have been retained but also they’ve made a point of adding professional experience, with three regular NZ internationals recruited - including Footy Ferns centurion Betsy Hassett. Now the ratio of teenagers is less than half and that’s not merely because last year’s players are a year older.
Although that last point is still a factor, because that’s the benefit of the development year. A bunch of the country’s premier youngsters have already had a jump start into the ALW. It was a rocky road at times, stuck over in Oz and losing a few heavy ones early on, but we also saw signs of some quality footballing ambitions. Looking to pass the ball around. Getting stuck into challenges. Creativity was often lacking and there would be the occasional key mistake at the back – in particular they conceded a lot of second and third phase goals failing to clear their lines when under pressure – plus the execution of their passes didn’t always match the intent. But you know what that is? That’s inexperience. Only way around that problem is to go through it.
Not to mention that those eight players have since played at that U20 World Cup – and they’re not alone because two of their new signings were also in that squad (Milly Clegg and Marisa van der Meer). Add in the massive boost that was Kate Taylor and Mackenzie Barry earning Football Ferns debuts whist Wellington Phoenix players (plus Alyssa Whinham and Grace Wisnewski being called up to squads) and there oughta be heaps of internal growth on display.
The baseline had already been raised. Then you add in a few older and wiser heads and the baseline rises further... because one thing that they notably lacked last season was veteran leadership. Even the players who were a few years older than that teenaged core, such as Chloe Knott and Grace Jale, were still relatively inexperienced in terms of their professional careers. There was a lot of walking into the unknown with that group that won’t need to be repeated this time.
Whether that’s enough to lift this team into the semi-finals race is debatable. It’s tough at the top and the WahiNix have a long way to go to get there. But they shouldn’t be wooden spooners again, they’re better than that. Especially since Central Coast Mariners have now joined as an expansion club – meaning the Nix aren’t the newest team on the scene.
If season one was a development year, a soft launch into the A-League realms, then season two is when things get serious. Moral successes within lost games won’t feel so consoling any more. Close but not quite is not going to be good enough. This is now a Phoenix team capable of picking half a team’s worth of internationals in any given eleven and thanks to some shrewd transfer work they look to have a very deep bench as well. It’s actually quite hard to pick a starting team out of what they’ve got. Happy problems for Nat Lawrence to ponder.
Surprised to be able to write these next few words... but the Aussies really did the SheNix a solid with some of those roster restrictions. Lowering the Australian player quota from seven to five and then also allowing for four scholarship players instead of two. Having said that, not sure that the club has repaid that good faith. Three of their five ‘Australians’ are aligned with NZ internationally. Michaela Robertson has a parent from over the ditch while Zoe McMeeken, it turns out, was born in Melbourne. Both therefore eligible for an AU passport. Both therefore eligible for AU roster status. Also Brianna Edwards was signed as a dual-national last season and is back again. She grew up in Oz but went to the U20 World Cup with Aotearoa. Claudia Cicco and Isabel Gomez are the other two in that five.
Mackenzie Barry was the first player to re-up for year two. That was back in July. Five days later Alyssa Whinham became the first Phoenix ALW player to sign a multi-year contract (two years... but still), something that Chloe Knott also later did. Different circumstances with those two contracts. Whinham’s likely to head overseas at some point and we’ve seen the HeNix try to lock up younger talent for longer in the hope of a transfer fee coming back their way. Transfer fees are very rare in women’s footy but you never know. There is a World Cup in between those two years, if Whinham makes that squad (her Phoenix form will determine that). As for Chloe Knott, she very probably won’t be heading overseas as it’d reset the clock on her eligibility countdown for the Footy Ferns. Technicalities... but so it goes. Get her signed up for longer if she’s not going anywhere, makes sense. Knott led the team in minutes played in year one.
There are 13 players from of this 22-woman squad who are returning from last term. No shockers that we’re mostly talking about the ones who played the most. The nine players who led the minutes count have all been retained and it’s only then in tenth place that we find Grace Jale, who chose to move to Canberra United instead. The Nix’s most common line-up in 2021-22 was:
Lily Alfeld | Zoe McMeeken, Mackenzie Barry, Kate Taylor, Talitha Kramer | Isabel Gomez, Grace Wisnewski | Alyssa Whinham | Ava Pritchard, Chloe Knott, Grace Jale
Of those eleven players, nine are still on board. Jale has gone. Talitha Kramer has also left, signing with Brisbane Roar instead. Meanwhile only two of the bottom seven players in terms of minutes were re-signed: backup keeper Edwards and scholarship player Charlotte Lancaster.
In the end, other than Jale who voluntarily signed elsewhere, Kelli Brown was the only kiwi player not to be brought back for year two. Brown has since popped up with Northern Rovers in the NZ National League where she’s having all sorts of fun with 9 goals in 10 matches. Still oughta be in an ALW squad somewhere but unfortunately the Nix just didn’t have room once they’d made their new signings. Of the others who’ve left, Cushla Rue has also picked up a deal with Western Sydney. Still waiting to hear about Hannah Jones or Jordan Jasnos or Annabel Martin though.
Meanwhile the new signings are: Paige Satchell, Betsy Hassett, Marisa van der Meer, Michaela Robertson, Claudia Cicco, Michaela Foster (scholarship), Georgia Candy (scholarship), Emma Rolston, and Milly Clegg (amateur). The Footy Ferns trio are the main yarns there – Satchell, Hassett, Rolston – though a low-key crucial aspect heading into the season might be how well they’ve done with their scholarship players.
Last season Alyssa Whinham was a late addition on a schol deal and she went on to start 12/14 games, one of only four players in the group with both a goal and an assist (Taylor, Knott & Pritchard the others). Her creative spark was instantly effective and she’s since been elevated to a full professional deal. Charlotte Lancaster didn’t play nearly as much as her scholarship sister but she has been brought back on a second schol contract and with a rocket of a left foot and the flexibility to play in a few different positions she’s one who could have a much bigger impact this time around.
At least Lancaster shouldn’t have to be a reserve goalie at any point. Fair play to her for donning the gloves as the designated keeper on the bench in the game against Adelaide last season when Lily Alfeld was away with the national team (and the Nix were inexplicably not allowed to sign a short-term replacement)... but that won’t happen again, thankfully. Because they’ve brought in Georgia Candy with another of those scholarship spots. With Lily Alfeld poised to miss the first few games after offseason surgery, there’s a decent chance that Candy ends up starting ahead of Edwards. A lot of folks won’t have seen her play yet but she’s a superb keeper.
They also brought back Te Reremoana Walker on a scholarship deal. TRW was signed as a pro last term and featured in all but one game (including four starts) but wasn’t going to be retained in the initial wave of contracts. However she’s put the ego aside and accepted a scholarship spot in order to stay at the club where she feels her career is best positioned. Love that from a young player. Especially since she’s been living in Australia for most of her life so moving to Wellywood is a big deal.
Then with the fourth scholarship spot they’ve only gone and signed the best domestic player in Aotearoa: Michaela Foster. 23 years old having already come out the other end of the USA college thing. She may be on a scholarship contract but she’s the seventh oldest player in the team. Can use both feet superbly, plays literally every outfield position, a set piece specialist who regularly scores directly from corner kicks... getting Foster in as a scholar is outstanding value for money.
How many of the nine remaining players from that preferred year one XI still make the starting line-up now? It could potentially be as few as four or five. We saw Lewis/Lawrence mostly sticking with the same team from game to game last term as it was important for them to go through those ups and downs and learn as much as possible. This year the expectations are different and the squad is much deeper and if you don’t perform then you’ll probably be dropped. That’s how it goes. Exciting times.
The Players
Lily Alfeld | 27yo | Goalkeeper
The captain of the team and also the most experienced A-League player in the squad as well. Same number of games as Paige Satchell (25) but with more minutes. A respected leader on the pitch. Very good shot-stopper with no obvious weaknesses as a keeper. Decent enough with her feet, great organiser. And while she hasn’t been capped internationally yet she has been called up a few times – probably the next keeper off the ranks if one of that Esson/Leat/Nayler combo gets injured.
Saskia Vosper | 23yo | Fullback/Winger
Started last season as the first-choice left back but got injured and lost that gig to Kramer. Still played some part in all but one game – often off the bench as a winger providing a bit of energy late in games. There are way more attacking options this season so that probably won’t happen as often. There are quite a few contenders at fullback too (Vosper, McMeeken, MVDM, Foster, Lancaster) which’ll offer some very interesting selection battles. Vosper is a fullback specialist with a great work-rate. Didn’t see the best of her last term so funky to see how it goes this time around.
Kate Taylor | 19yo | Central Defender
There’s a reason she was picked as vice-captain at age 18 last season. The best defensive prospect in Aotearoa, aggressive in the challenge and very skilled on the ball. Always plays with confidence. Reads the game nicely. Kate Taylor is already a regular Footy Ferns squad member and is only going to get better from here. Surely that first national team start isn’t too far away. With the Nixers she’s one of the very first names on the teamsheet. Might have even been the first name until they signed Betsy Hassett.
Mackenzie Barry | 21yo | Central Defender
New Plymouth’s finest and also now a full international having been handed a debut off the bench against Japan in October. Barry is an equal partner in that central defensive duo with Kate Taylor – the only outfield combination which shouldn’t change heading into year two. Barry and Taylor were the first two Phoenix players to make Football Ferns debuts whilst at the club. MB is also an accomplished right back (and played a bit on the left for the Ferns against South Korea recently) but we shan’t be seeing that happen with this team – instead we’ll be seeing a classy central defender who times a tackle as well as anyone.
Marisa van der Meer | 20yo | Fullback
There’s a good chance that Van der Meer might have been a Phoenix player last time had they been green-lit a little sooner. But by the time that happened she’d already signed with Melbourne City. That stint didn’t deliver MVDM the same playing opportunities she’d have gotten with Wellington but she did make ten total appearances for a very good team, including 55 minutes in an extra-time finals game against Sydney FC. Otherwise mostly short sub cameos... yet that’s still great experience. Van der Meer was part of the extended Olympics squad but hasn’t been capped at senior level yet. Very reliable defender out wide, who can play on either side, and links up nicely going forward. Strong chance she’s a week one starter, probably at right back (she started there ahead of McMeeken at the U20 World Cup a few months back).
Isabel Gomez | 20yo | Midfielder
Aussie defensive midfielder who loves a rough challenge – only Kramer had more yellow cards than the three that Gomez earned last season. Gomez started all but one of those games. Only lasted ninety minutes three times though that’s no big drama... and will be less so with genuine depth this time around. Will be tricky to keep that starting spot with Betsy Hassett in town. Big respect for being the only full Australian from year one to continue with the team now that they’ve relocated home to Wellington. Has been involved in Aussie youth squads in the past though didn’t make the U20 World Cup squad (Cushla Rue was the only Nixer to do so).
Chloe Knott | 26yo | Midfielder/Forward
One of the two players already locked in for the year after next. Knott has always been a box to box midfielder but spent the majority of last season as a sort of false nine style striker. Led the team in minutes, starting every game (only Ava Pritchard can match that achievement), and scored a couple of goals too. However the club has stocked up on forwards since and the midfield’s already competitive for places – Knott’s going to be an important player once again but at this stage... just not quite sure what position that’ll be in yet.
Grace Wisnewski | 20yo | Midfielder
Missed a couple of games last season for mental health reasons and won a heap of deserved praise for how well she handled that journey. Got back at it for the U20 World Cup and was excellent, leading into a Footy Ferns call-up for the South Korea home series (unfortunately she got injured in training). Here’s one for ya: Grace Wiz was never subbed off last campaign. Full ninety in all eleven starts. Tackles hard, runs even harder, and has a decent chunk of attacking pedigree to go with it having come up the ranks as more of a forward. You may recall she scored a couple famous goals with the NZ U17s during their bronze medal campaign in 2018.
Ava Pritchard | 19yo | Winger/Forward
Started all 14 matches in year one as a right winger, scoring two goals and setting up two more. That included the club’s first ever ALW goal. Pretty good return for a player who’s main strength is that she has no major weaknesses and her main weakness is that she doesn’t have a major strength. Solid reliable player but possibly lacking x-factor... which is funny because she’s unlikely to keep that starting spot now that Paige Satchell has rocked up and Paige Satchell is someone who has the opposite profile. Absolute searing x-factor pace but not always the well-rounded technique to complement that. It’ll be a good challenge for Pritchard, whose velvet-smooth game belies her youth. The funky thing is she could develop in a few different ways depending on whether she’s prioritised as a striker, a winger, or a complementary forward.
Alyssa Whinham | 19yo | Forward
Kinda the face of the club already. Alyssa Whinham is a unique prospect in kiwi football being someone who operates between the lines, capable of dribbling past opponents with a burst of skill and always searching for that incisive pass. A proper number ten who is always thrilling to watch. Has had one Ferns call-up already and it shouldn’t be too much longer before she’s making that a regular thing – there’s really nobody else who can do what she does on the Ferns scene. Or for the Phoenix. Her coaches have been careful with her, doesn’t always last the ninety minutes, but there’s no doubting the trajectory she’s travelling on.
Betsy Hassett | 32yo | Midfielder
135 caps for the Football Ferns and has played for clubs such as Ajax, Manchester City, and Werder Bremen. More recently has spent the last five years in Iceland – her final year with Stjarnan only wrapped up a couple months ago (qualifying for the Champions League prelims, leaving the club in a great place). Yet Betsy Hassett has never actually played in the A-League before. The WahiNix don’t exist to bring existing pros back to Aotearoa, we want our top players involved at a higher level tbh, but Hassett is an incredible get for the club. Someone at the other end of her career (though still a long way from retirement) who’ll bring a calming and technically profound presence to the middle of the park. A first XI Ferns midfielder these days. Should immediately be one of the best midfielders in the ALW. She’s also been involved with some pretty young/rebuilding Stjarnan squads recently so the mentorship aspect at WPX should come naturally.
Brianna Edwards | 19yo | Goalkeeper
Born and raised in Australia but with a kiwi-born father, Edwards had been around the Aussie youth system in the past but switched to Aotearoa after joining the Nix. Was part of the U20 World Cup squad where she was a backup to Murphy Sheaff (Jacksonville Uni/USA). Made one start deputising for Lily Alfeld last season having debuted off the bench a week earlier. Good size for a keeper, seems to be pretty solid with her fundamentals. Very curious to see who starts in Alfeld’s absence in week one now that Georgia Candy has also been brought into the squad.
Paige Satchell | 24yo | Winger/Forward
Satchell’s speed is incredible. That raw unstoppable pace has seen her boosted up the national team ranks to where she’s now a regular first choice Ferns player although it’s still true that her end product is yet to catch up with the rest of her game. That’s the state of the Ferns where their need for creativity means Satchell’s still having to develop her game at the highest level. Luckily the A-League has come in handy for that purpose. Following a stint with SC Sand in Germany, Satchell signed with Canberra and made the semis. Then she moved to Sydney FC and made the final. Stands to reason that she’ll win the championship with the Wellington Phoenix now, right? Satchell alternated between starts and subs at both those previous clubs but will be first choice for the Nix, no doubt about it. It was her goal sealed the minor premiership for Sydney FC last season.
Michaela Robertson | 26yo | Winger/Forward
There’s not much of her at only 1.50m tall but what she lacks in height she makes up for in speed and skill - as anyone who’s seen her operate for Capital in recent years can attest. Has been part of the Welly Nix academy in recent times so this was a natural progression. Especially since she’s the first Wellingtonian to join the team. Year one included players from Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Napier, and all over Australia... but none from Wellington. That’s now been amended (and then added to with Rolston). Robertson is best as a winger but can play striker or fullback too. Was part of the extended Olympics squad, same as MVDM, and had been called up to the Ferns previously too. Yet to debut although a swift start to the ALW term could change that given the Ferns’ goal-scoring deficiencies. This is Robertson’s first pro gig but she still definitely helps raise that experience tide-line.
Zoe McMeeken | 18yo | Fullback
ZM was the youngest member of the first squad (though is only second youngest this time). A fantastic athlete, literally an age-grade athletics champ, with heaps of potential but still raw in a lot of was too, as was always to be expected. The errors in passing and defence should get ironed out naturally (and she was hardly alone there either) so the next step for McMeeken is to start bringing her crossing game into the ALW, overlapping her winger and swinging that ball into the box. There’s more depth to the fullback spots now which could limit her starts but that challenge ought also to help with her development. Such an exciting prospect, especially considering how young she still is.
Emma Rolston | 26yo | Forward
Rollo’s played in the ALW before. Only made two short subs appearances for Sydney FC early in her career but she was there involved and knows the league. Since then we’ve seen her in Germany and Norway however injuries have limited what she’s been able to achieve. The Welly Nix are therefore a handy lifeline for her at a time when the World Cup is on the horizon and Rollo is by no means a guarantee to make that squad (thanks in part to Grace Jale’s Nix-aided emergence). A versatile forward, capable of playing across the front-line or even a bit deeper. Surely gonna be targeting that centre-forward spot.
Claudia Cicco | 18yo | Defender
The only new Australian signing. Cicco caught the eyes of Nat Lawrence doing her thing in the NPL. A ball-playing centre-back who looks pretty tall and composed. She’ll be the back-up behind Barry/Taylor at CB though she can cover the wider defensive spots in a pinch too. Just got called up to the Aussie U20s. Clearly a huge talent and someone that the Nix have done well to spot before other A-League clubs began lurking.
Te Reremoana Walker | 19yo | Defender/Midfielder
Mostly used as a reserve central defender yet arguably still more suited to a defensive midfield role down the line. Mona Walker’s best asset is her passing range, able to hit a pinpoint switch of play with no dramas whatsoever. Almost didn’t get called back when she missed out on a pro deal but accepted a scholarship gig instead to stay involved with the club that offered her the best shot at first team footy. Had been part of Newcastle Jets youth teams before (Walker was born in Dunedin but grew up in Australia) so might’ve still landed on her feet... but the Nix are where it’s at. Right on.
Charlotte Lancaster | 19yo | Winger/Fullback
When Lancaster found her way back to Central in the National League, it suggested that maybe she wouldn’t be back with the Nix. Didn’t really play much last term, only 29 mins across five sub apps, but she did feature more prominently for the U20s recently and scored absolute one banger of a goal. Therefore it was decided that there was room for her amongst the scholarship spots again. Lancaster has a wicked left foot and the ability to score from distance. Kicks the ball harder than anyone. She’s strong and fit, won’t ever dodge an opportunity to make a tackle. Equally as adept as a left winger as she is a left fullback and can do a job as a combative midfielder as she showed with Central recently.
Milly Clegg | 17yo | Forward
Signed on an amateur deal so as to keep her options open if she wants to go to the United States for college after she finishes high school (because she’s still at high school), Clegg is the youngest member of this squad by more than a full year. She’s also the best number nine prospect this country has produced since... at least Amber Hearn, but possibly ever. Clegg is the real deal. A genuine goal scorer who has the speed and size to develop into a complete striker, which she flexed by not only participating but scoring at both the U20 and U17 World Cups this year. And setting up the winning goal in the Kate Sheppard Cup final for Auckland United. And scoring for AU in the National League (although she only played two games before leaving with the U17s, then returning to sign with the Nix). She’s super young... but the best Aussie players her age are already playing A-League so this is where she needs to be.
Michaela Foster | 23yo | Anywhere
The boring folks will tell you how she’s the daughter of the All Blacks coach. The real ones will point out that Michaela Foster was the best domestic player in the country across 2022. That mahi came playing for Northern Rovers where she supplied heaps of goals and assists – including 4 goals and 2 assists in 4 National League games. Foster can play in every position. Sounds like left-back might be the target spot to start the season but she’s just as adept as a forward, in the midfield... and could even go centre-back in an emergency. She’s done it before. Technically good with both feet. A set piece specialist with a penchant for scoring directly from corners. Did the USA college thing at San Diego Uni. Captained the U17s at the 2016 World Cup. Also played U20s for NZ back in 2018 (alongside Paige Satchell). And they’ve got her on a scholarship deal... incredible business.
Georgia Candy | 21yo | Goalkeeper
She’s not too well known yet but Georgia Candy’s quietly put together quite the CV already. She was the backup to Anna Leat at the U17 World Cup when they won the bronze medals – one of a few players in this squad who were also in that squad. Mack Barry, Marisa van der Meer, Grace Wisnewski... plus Kelli Brown was in the team last time. Candy also played an outstanding campaign with Capital football in the National League a couple years ago, winning the season MVP award with an incredible array of saves (including some belters in the final). Georgia Candy is new and she’s on a scholarship deal but don’t underestimate her because of that. Very good goalie who could well be the week one starter with Alfeld injured.
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